How Many Republicans Does It Take To Unscrew A Mandate?

More than 100 House Republicans so far have signed a letter calling upon Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and the House GOP leaders to halt any future funding of the health care law given that the House controls most appropriations.

But, when CNSNews.com asked Rep. Boehner today if he intended to halt the funding of Obamacare and its mandates, he dodged the question, choosing instead to address the letter – and dismiss even that until it’s been formally delivered to him.

“You know, I’ve not seen this letter yet, but I’ve read that I’m about to get one. So when I get it, when I get it, then I’ll be able to comment on it,” Rep. Boehner replied.

Then, he abruptly turned and left the podium.

Last November, CNSNews.com spoke with Rep. King (R-Iowa) about the House GOP cutting funding to Obamacare and he said he did not think it would happen because the House Republican leadership is afraid of a showdown with Senate Democrats and the President.

"We didn't bring up the maximum leverage because the decision was made by leadership to avoid the prospect of a showdown with the president or Harry Reid that could result in a potential shutdown of government," Rep. King said.

“I think the American public would have sided with us, and if we had held our ground on shutting off the funding to Obamacare in particular, as well as funding Planned Parenthood, because it puts the president and Harry Reid and the Democrats in the position of having to defend Obamacare as more important than all of the rest of the functions of government combined,” he said.

There are 241 House Republicans. More than 100 have signed the call to defund Obamacare.

So, given Speaker Boehner’s evasiveness, the question seems to be: exactly how many House Republican signatures would it take to convince the Speaker of the House to join in and take the lead in defunding Obamacare?